Blurring the lines...

I had a great discussion with an ex-republican today and I was reminded of the recent following article by Pete Kofod:  

The Rise of the Praetorian Class

It clearly addresses the approach of a true repressive state in this once free land as we adapt from one where it was primarily the People vs. Those who would Rule over them.  This adds a third party to that equation which could unbalance the system far beyond where we sit today.

"The Praetorian Class includes members of the Armed Services, federal, state and local law enforcement personnel as well as numerous militarized officials including agents from the DEA, Immigrations, Customs Enforcement, Air Marshals, US Marshalls, and more. It also includes, although to a lesser extent, various stage actors in the expanding security theater such as TSA personnel. The main mission of the Praetorian Class is to keep the order of the day. This requires displaying an intimidating presence in their interactions with the Economic Class.

As the Praetorian Class ascends, the clear, albeit unstated, message that emerges is that actions and events in the Economic Class (i.e. us...) only occur with its tacit consent. Whether driving on roads, traveling in the air, visiting public land, walking down the street or even living in your own home, every action you take is predicated on its permission. By preconditioning the populace to enforcement of its edicts, most of which are completely arbitrary, the Praetorian Class sets itself up for a high degree of autonomy in its actions. This is confirmed by the fact that consequences for malfeasance within the Praetorian Class are almost never observed, and when it happens, it typically becomes a grotesque spectacle in which one of their own is sacrificed as an example, so as to keep appearances of effective internal controls."

Nice.  Gunwalker anyone?

It also ties in nicely with the following report I spotted last night on Sipsey Street:

Convergence: Special Operations Forces and Civilian Law Enforcement

"...the dangers faced by civilian LEAs in the U.S. have been constantly escalating. Many criminals are equipped with fully automatic weapons and in some areas conducting small-unit operations. The response to these threats requires additional SOF-like civilian units within LEAs."

"...Historically the functions of the military and LEAs have been legally different. Based on concerns

about the misuse of the overwhelming power that military elements wield, the Posse Comitatus Act was passed. Specifically, this act prohibits the use of federal military forces inside the domestic boundaries of the U.S. except for certain exigent circumstances, and it requires Presidential authority to invoke the provisions set forth. However, events of the past decade have brought increased dangers to all Americans and a near blurring of the lines between law enforcement and military operations."

"On the side of LEAs, threats to local police have escalated with more sophisticated weapons having been introduced on the streets of our cities."

I'm wondering what exactly he is referring to here.  There is a statistically minute amount of crime done with non-standard weapons (Those being full auto or regulated).

"Local and international gangs have precipitated a level of violence in some precincts that is unparalleled in our nation’s history, even dating to the notorious crime syndicates of the early 20th century. The response by many LEAs has been to organize and train specialized units, commonly called SWAT teams, which often have capabilities to perform operations that bear striking resemblance to small unit military operations."

"Conversely, many SOF units, especially those functioning in Iraq, now operate in a combat environment under unprecedented constraints. Only a few years ago, who would have thought that military units would be required to obtain warrants before apprehending high-value targets, or involved in securing and documenting forensic evidence, let alone testifying in foreign civilian courts. Yet the time has come—that is, legal requirements are the new norm, and the convergence of SOF and LEAs is easily observable."

"Among the driving forces that inspire this similitude (Between SOF and SWAT) is the penchant to define terrorism as an extension of criminal activities."

Both articles are describing different symptoms of the oncoming tyrant's rule.  The question in my mind is what should or even what can be done before this is firmly emplaced in our communities?  I wonder how typical Law Enforcers would react to being challenged on the clear need for our Peace Officers to be fully integrated into the communities they protect.  They are meant to be part of us, raised up from with the ranks of the People to provide for the protection of the People and their Rights.

Stanislaus County police agencies acquire surplus military equipment

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/04/01/2139823/picking-up-the-big-guns.html#storylink=cpy